What is Hamas ?
Hamas, a radical Islamist group, appeared in the late 1980s as a splinter from the Palestinian section of the Muslim Brotherhood. It got the Gaza Strip in 2006 after winning over the rival Fatah in the elections. Hamas is named as a terrorist group by many countries, including the United States, the European Union, and Israel and has been involved in the attacks against Israel, e. g. suicide bombings and rocket attacks.
Key Terror Event
The most notable terror event involving Hamas was the unexpected attack on the south of Israel in October 2023, which caused the death of over 1,200 people and many hostages. This attack was one of the most bloody days in Israel’s history and it led to a war between Israel and Hamas, which escalated the tension in the region5.
Never forget, Never forgive the #October7massacre a brutality of Hamas and Palestinian #HamasTerrorists.#IStandWithIsrael 🇮🇱 pic.twitter.com/L2BbjPqvF4
— Vote For Ekam Sanatan Bharat 🕉🚩 (@TIgerNS3) May 9, 2024
Hamas Ideology ?
The ideology of Hamas, which began with the publication of its charter in 1988, is based on the destruction of Israel and the establishment of an Islamic society in historic Palestine. Although Hamas has tried to present a more moderate image, it still refuses to acknowledge the legitimacy of Israel and persist in violent resistance.
Egypt Government on Hamas?
Egypt’s relation with Hamas is not simple at all. In 2014, Egypt banned Hamas’s activities and accused it of terrorist acts in Egypt through tunnels linking the Sinai Peninsula to the Gaza Strip. Nevertheless, in 2015, Egypt’s appeals court has now annulled this rule, and Hamas is no longer officially a terrorist organization as of 2023.
Israel Angle
Hamas has been engaged in attacks against Israeli soldiers and civilians, leading to accusations of war crimes. Israel has declared war on Hamas following the 2023 assault, aiming to eradicate the group, which has resulted in significant casualties on both sides
Hamas Connection with Iran and Funding ?
Iran gives Hamas material and financial assistance, which it views as a coalition of regional allies that includes other militant groups such as Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Lebanon’s Hezbollah. Iran’s backing for Hamas has helped the latter to continue its activities and resistance to Israel. Besides, Qatar and Turkey have been the hosts of top Hamas leaders, which has allowed the financial transactions to be made for the purpose of supporting the organization’s operation5.
Hamas Leaders in Qatar ?
Qatar gave a shelter to some of Hamas’s top leaders, who used the money from the country’s financial system to finance Hamas’s activities. The Qatar’s support has been the basis of Hamas’s activities and resistance against Israel. To sum up, the history, ideology, terror events, ties with various countries, including Iran, and the leadership of Hamas in Qatar all are the factors that make it a complicated and controversial character in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
🇵🇸 #HamasTerrorists execute 3 Gazans for stealing aid.
— Uri Israel (@Israel2252) May 7, 2024
This is what a #FreePalaestine looks like pic.twitter.com/WmHQ6RZMJR
